The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-10-29

order his reports had been careful y
and correctly made; and yet, after
all, he had lost his position, he knew
not why, and felt that his case was
sad indeed. He inwardIy resolved
that, having missed his calling, he
would quit railroading and try some
other service, where faithful work
would be appreciated. He dared not
hope to reverse the decision of the
official, yet in as calm voice as he
could command he politely asked the
reason of his summary dismissal,
Colonel Hammond waited while
before he answered. Then the mus
cles of his face relaxed little, and he
said:
II want an assistant superintend-
ent in my Office and have called you
to take the place."
True worth is always modest, and
our thunder-struck conductor could
only stammer: .Al4asAz4..s
"But am not competent, sir, to
fill the position you offer.'
"You can do as L tell you; ; you can
obey orders, and carry out the details
of the work laid out by the chief"
To these duties he brought the
same thoroughness and faithfuIness
that had made him noticeable as a
conductor. His elevation did not
make him vain or spoil him, He
was plain and modest and hard-work-
ing as before-the salary at first was
one thousand eight hundred dollars.
After few years of service under
Colonel Hammond, and an advance
of salary to two thousand five hun
dred dollars, the plain young man
was invited to take the Office of gen
eral superintendent of the young
road, at salary of four thousand dol
lars. Distrusting his own ability
but determined to do his best, he ac
cepted the call, and succeeded, unit
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
railroad, realizing how much they
had lost in parting with him, invited
him to resume his old position, witt
the tempting offer of six thousand {
year.
In the meantime Col. Hammond
had become superintendent of tn
Union Pacific road, running from
F Omaha to Ogden, where it connect
with the Central Pacific road, Th
latter road was owned by four o
five millionaires who had built il
one of whom was its general superin
tendent. However good busines
: man, he knew but little about rail
!. roading, and under his care the roa,
was anything but prosperous, unit
the owners and directors decide
+ upon a radiacl and sweeping change
But where could they find a geneI
al superintendent who had the abili
ty and would dare reorganize tn
road and put its affairs upon bette
, basis ? They consulted C0Iunel Ham
, moud and other railroad men, an
the result was that our modest an
. hard working conductor one day re
r ceiv' telegram, asking him if h
@ would undertake the GHti,s nf genel
| a =, e hA (fAntr.SI
citic road, at a salary of ten thOusan
, dollars. He was satisfied with hi
appreciation Ivy the Chicago, Bu
=. lington and Quincy Railroad, VIII
r proposed to increase his pay to seve
thousand dollars, aud as he preferre
:. to remain in Chicago he declined tn
princely offer made by the CalIforni
road. Then another telegram aske
. at what salary he would become th
u chief of the Central Pacific. Almos
hoping to discourage his tempters, b
- telegraphed,
"Thirteen thousand a year i
gold"
At once came the answer,
accepted"
u So, taken in his own trap, he ha
- nothing to do but to bid adieu to tt
city that had served him so well. an
i turn his face toward the land of gol,
J. My story would be too long if
: should try to tell you the unexpecte
: difficulties he encountered from II
! old officers on the road. who had d.
J. termIned that they would not be s.
Is perceded, and that the new superb
g tendent should never enter upon h
|. duties; how they, before his arrive
u set the whole press and people
D. California against him; how, su
G. ported by the directors of the roa
J. he quietly took control, disarmC
prejudice, conquered submission, ar
~ was successful,
This was nine years ago. He
J.; still general superintendent of Il
ID Central Pacific, one of the most il
portant railroads in the world. Wi
le its connection with California, tn
yo Ouiet man now SuperintendS